Stuart Anderson

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ALMOST £3m has been saved and carbon emissions cut by 20 per cent under a council-led scheme.

Hampshire County Council has announced it has managed to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by more than 30,000 tonnes over the past five years, surpassing its target.

Executive member for income and capital receipts Councillor Mel Kendal said it was an outstanding result.

He said: ‘Exceeding this challenging target, set five years ago, is a considerable achievement and demonstrates the council’s strong commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.

‘The intention is that by 2025, a further 40 per cent reduction in carbon emissions can be achieved – not only protecting the environment, but also enabling the council to make further savings on energy costs and generate income from the national grid through the use of renewable technologies.’

Cllr Kendal said the council aimed to be ‘carbon neutral’ by 2050.

Savings on emissions have been made across the county’s schools and office buildings, and maintenance improvements such as re-roofing projects and boiler and lighting replacements.

A major programme of street lighting replacement has contributed to the reductions.

The council is also running a ‘Do your Energy Bit’ behaviour-change initiative to prompt people to save energy.